Tribal communities and forests
Topic: Natural Vegetation and Forests of India · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 5 "Natural Vegetation"
Meaning
For many tribal people in India, the forest is their home, their livelihood (way of earning a living) and the base of their very existence. It gives them food, fruit, edible leaves, honey, roots and game, and material for houses and crafts. Their traditional knowledge of plants and animals can help protect forests. NCERT says tribal people should be made growers, not just collectors, of minor forest produce, and partners in conservation. Minor forest produce means forest products other than timber, such as honey, leaves and flowers.
Example
The Mundas and Santhals of the Chota Nagpur region worship the mahua and kadamba trees. They also collect mahua flowers as food and for income.
Don't confuse with
- Forest Rights Act 2006: a law that gives Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers legal rights over forest land and produce. The concept here is about how tribal people live with and depend on forests. The Act is the legal right.